We’re on the precipice of history, here, Nation. Believe it or not, despite making 13 trips to the postseason, collecting seven pennants and two World Series titles along the way, the Phillies have never, not once, swept a playoff series. Tonight, Cole Hamels, who won the playoff MVP double in 2008, takes the ball in attempt to rectify that situation. So far, it’s taken some concentrated, if not not particularly consistent, hitting (plus a little help from the Reds’ defense) to beat Cincinnati twice. Almost all of the Phillies’ starters are hitting. The problem is that none of them are hitting particularly well–only Raul Ibanez has an OPS over .750. As the series turns to The Nasty ‘Natti, La Furia Roja will try to break out their bats against Johnny Cueto.

Seldom do Philly fans need a reason to boo an opposing pitcher lustily, but tonight’s Reds starter, Johnny Cueto, gives us a real doozy. Remember that benches-clearing fracas between the Reds and Cardinals a couple months back? It was one of the few baseball fights that looked more like a real fight than a baseball fight, which we all thought was awesome at the time. But what came to light later was that Cardinals catcher Jason LaRue suffered a concussion in the fight. LaRue is a member of that most likable of baseball fraternities, the light-hitting career backup catcher. In 12 major league seasons, LaRue didn’t contribute much of anything on the diamond, posting a .712 OPS in 922 games, but he was that hackneyed “calming veteran presence” on several teams, was erudite on camera, and, at least from what I’ve read, was well-liked well-respected throughout the sport. Guys like that tend to go on to become managers (for evidence, see Bruce Bochy, Buck Martinez, Joe Girardi, and, if you want to step into the wayback machine, Connie Mack).

Anyway, the last thing LaRue will do in a major league uniform is take a boot to the head. Remember that guy pressed up against the backstop, flinging his cleats wildly at anyone who approached? Johnny Cueto. One of his kicks caught LaRue on the head, and just like that, career over. So don’t feel bad if he gets lit up tonight.

In order for Cole Hamels to slam the door on Cincy’s collective fingers tonight, he’ll have to continue to keep the middle of their order in check. The Reds’ 3-4 hitters, presumptive ML MVP Joey Votto and former Phillie Scott Rolen, are a combined 1-for-13 in this series through two games, and with Brandon Phillips hitting well ahead of them (to say nothing of the removal of offensive albatross Orlando Cabrera from the lineup), it will be of paramount importance to Hamels and whatever relievers Uncle Cholly uses to keep Votto and Rolen from driving in those baserunners.

Oh, and I had forgotten about this little tidbit until @Utley4God brought it up on Twitter, but the last time Cueto and Hamels opposed each other, on July 6, 2009, Hamels allowed a Jonny Gomes solo homer and two other hits in seven innings of work. Cueto allowed nine earned runs on five hits (including a two-run double by Hamels himself) in only 2/3 of an inning. The Phils won that game 22-1.

This beer gets the nod for three reasons: 1) the name 2) it’s a local beverage 3) it led to a good night in Ohio for me once, a tradition I trust the Phillies will follow this evening. I had been drinking Victory stouts for a while at the Draught Horse near Temple University when I went to pick up a six-pack for a party I was attending in Columbus. At this point, I didn’t know that Victory made two stouts: Donnybrook Stout (an Irish stout which, depending on my mood, I actually prefer to Guinness) and Storm King Stout (an Imperial stout). Excited to see a Philly Metro brewery’s wares on offer in Ohio, I picked up a sixer of the Storm King, unaware that, at 9.1% ABV, it has nearly three times the alcohol content of Donnybrook. What I expected to be a quiet night (for me, at least) turned into something of a rager. Here’s to unexpected ragers.

Yankees swept so lets keep pace.
Rays fighting back and I guess are favored in a game 5
Regardless Rangers now will burn Lee in game 5
so he wont go vs the spankees in a game 1. TB was my AL pick all along.

Watching the Braves-Giants 1-0 SF in the 7th
Memo to the manager of the Giants dont use Brain Wilson in the 8th tonight and dont even consider Linceum on short rest for a game 4.
I am pretty sure he understands both of theses things already though.

They didnt even sell out till after they won game 2.
A truly pathetic bunch.

Jave mad respect for Giants. If manager doesnt blwo game 2 they are going for the sweep here.
Regardless of tongihts outcome you save Timmy for a game 5.
So yea we want braves to win one of these to at least force a game 5 so we wouldnt face timmy in a game 1.

Cole’s looking strong. The only hard hit the Reds have was an out. Those 2 dribblers were weak. He’s got good stuff tonight. Hopefully we can tack a few more on Cueto, he looks like he’s ready to give up a few runs.

Just a comment…stupid to put the Cincinnati Reds logo as your graphic for game night. Are we reds fans? Are we rooting for them over the Phillies? Give me a sick graphic of Cole throwing a nasty change up or something, there is no reason for that Reds graphic….

i agree that this play-by-play is pretty bad but ive started doing some play-by-play myself for my local school district tv station & its A LOT harder than we all think… just saying… i really have a new appreciation for what announcers can do… especially the colors cuz my color the other day for a volleyball match was terrible & had to ask me how many points they play to in a game and stuff like that (luckily i play volleyball)

Incredible job by Hamels. It was not a no-hitter but still impressive in the way he went to the other team’s stadium and dominate. Congrats the Phils on their first ever sweep. This team is truly amazing. The Phils’ pitching just stopped the best offensive team in the NL cold. Bring on the Braves or Giants.

GREAT GAME BY COLE-BUT ABOUT ANDREW’S BOY HITTING 105 MPH FASTBALL………..CHOOOOOOCH AIN’T SCARED………..AS FOR THE GAME——HELLLLL YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Great game by King Cole, love to see him just deal and sit these guys down. How great is that they clinch with our good buddy Scotty Rolen striking out on a 95 MPH high heat. Bet you wish you were still in PHilly now Scotty don’t you. That was agreat exclamation point fast ball by Cole.
I know it is way early but do you all think Charlie will keep the same rotation, with the Roy’s going back to back then Cole then Blanton. I think Cole is the real number two, but if the series goes seven, Cole would pitch game seven if he is the third starter.
Man this is going to be a long week till Saturday. PHILLIES sweep into the NCS.

I would not mind moving Jimmy down to seventh, but do not be surprised if the week off for Jimmy gets him to 100 percent that he does not move back up to lead off, I know all you would hate that but it may happen. Love to see the sweep but now a week off for the offense, not so worried about the pitching, but the offense sometimes struggles with long lay offs especially Ryan Jason and Raul, even JRoll since he never really got rolling all year

Why does Cole love Cincinatti so much? Unreal, he owns the Reds.
This was the best that I have seen Cole pitch and over the last 3 years, I have seen him pitch a lot – including the 15 strike out game. His fast ball was at premium tonight for Cole.
This team is pretty unbeatable once Ryan & Jayson start hitting, its over for anyone in their way.

Big WIN
Cole is officially the man. You hear him after the game?
Dudes a new person. Certainly compared to last year.
This team is going to be a very tough out.
charlie left cole in to put his balls on the platter and Cole stepped up. The Votto DP was amazing. After all they talked him up.
Got a week to kill now.

@ Jeff and Biz. I can make the case that Howard is 20% over paid. But then again hes the 1b I want for the next 2 series so why bother?

Everybody cheer for the Braves. We want it to go 5. if it goes 5 the Giants burn Timmy in a game 5 anyway. Its win win. And heck if the Braves win the series ( highly unlikely). We could start KK Blanton and Conteras in the NLCS and sweep them.

Well at least Chase got a HR…we need Werth or Howard to step up a notch…these are the big guys the3 big money guys..the Reds had a chance in Game 2 they blew it…I would like to see Roy 2 as the 3rd starter but the long lay off might be a bad thing..Roy2 is certainly capable of shutting down Giants/Braves…we need a lil more run production…